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Vocab & Idioms Grammar Reading Listening Speaking Writing

Section 1

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview

Topic

Planned Obsolescence — Sophie works as a product engineer. Her manager asks her to deliberately shorten the lifespan of a new phone. Should she do it? Is it ethical? Students explore this through reading, listening, debate and a for-and-against essay.

Level

B1–B2

Duration

90 minutes

Skills

Reading · Listening · Speaking (debate) · Writing (for-and-against essay)

Grammar

Reported speech — She said that… / He told her to… / It is said that…
Third conditional — If they had built better phones, they would have lasted longer
Modals + perfect — should have / could have / might have + past participle
Passive voice — Products are designed to fail / The phone was made to break
Concession clauses — Although / Even though / Despite / However

Vocabulary

10 words (B1–B2): obsolescence · lifespan · durable · consumer · recycle · fault · upgrade · manufacture · waste · ethical

Idioms

10 idioms: the bottom line · cut corners · cash cow · throwaway society · built-in failure · in the long run · vicious cycle · short-sighted · ahead of the curve · planned to the letter

Materials

Student Handouts 1–6 (printed); whiteboard; this plan

Key Grammar — Teaching Notes

Reported Speech

Direct: "It is standard practice," he said. → Reported: He said that it was standard practice.
Direct: "Do this," he told her. → He told her to do it.
Direct: "Don't refuse," he warned her. → He warned her not to refuse.
It is said that… / It is reported that… → useful for discussing claims about companies.

Common errors: forgetting tense backshift · using "said me" instead of "told me" · using "to" after "said"

Third Conditional

If + past perfect, would/could/might + have + past participle
If they had built phones to last, customers would not have needed to upgrade so often.
If the government had passed stronger laws, companies might have changed their behaviour.
Used here to criticise past decisions and discuss how things could have been different — rich in this ethical context.

Common errors: "If they would have built" (wrong — no would in if-clause) · "would have build" (past participle needed)

Modals + Perfect Infinitive

should have + pp = the right thing but it didn't happen: Companies should have been more honest.
could have + pp = it was possible but it didn't happen: These phones could have lasted ten years.
might have + pp = possible in the past, uncertain: Sophie might have lost her job if she had refused.

Common errors: "should have build" → should have built · "could have been lasted" (extra been)

Passive Voice (review)

Present: Products are designed to fail after 18 months.
Past: The phone was made with a weak battery connector.
Present perfect: Many companies have been criticised for this practice.
Infinitive: This practice needs to be banned.
Used throughout — essential in business/ethical discourse.

Concession Clauses (review + extend)

Although companies make more profit, consumers pay more in the long run.
Even though it is legal, many people think it is unethical.
Despite the criticism, the practice continues. (+ noun/noun phrase — NOT despite + clause)
However, there is another side to the argument. (connects two sentences)
On the other hand, consumers could simply buy less.
Key distinction: despite + noun vs although/even though + clause.

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–7 min

Lead-in

Speaking

"How old is your phone? Why did you buy a new one?" Elicit real examples. Write "planned obsolescence" on board. Ask: "Is this fair?"

Discuss. Share examples. Form initial opinions.

7–18 min

Vocab + Idioms

—

10 B1-B2 words + 10 idioms. Concept-check. Part B + D gap-fill and matching.

Read, self-test. Gap-fill. Match idioms.

18–43 min

Grammar

—

Five structure cards → exercises 1–5. Focus: third conditional + reported speech.

Study cards. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check.

43–56 min

Reading

Gist: "What does Sophie's manager ask her to do? What does she decide?" Tasks 1 and 2.

Read the case study. Questions. T/F/NG.

56–68 min

Listening

Context: "A radio discussion on planned obsolescence." Read TWICE.

1st: MCQ. 2nd: notes. Compare answers.

68–80 min

Speaking

Debate: FOR vs AGAINST. Monitor all five structures. Delayed correction.

Prepare arguments. Debate. Counter-argue.

80–90 min

Writing

100–120 words. For-and-against essay. All five structures required.

Write essay. Self-check.

Listening Script — 'Should Products Last Longer?'

Read aloud twice at a clear B1–B2 pace. Do not show to students during the tasks.

Host:

Good morning. Today we are asking: should companies make products that last longer? We have two guests — Tom, a technology journalist, and Anna, an environmental campaigner.

Tom:

It is often said that planned obsolescence is bad for consumers. But let's be honest — without new products, companies cannot invest in better technology. My manager always told me that progress requires money, and money comes from sales.

Anna:

That's a short-sighted view. In the long run, we are all paying for this. Millions of phones and laptops are thrown away every year. If companies had designed products to last longer, we would not have this waste problem now. These devices could have been repaired — but they were made impossible to fix.

Tom:

Although I understand the environmental concern, companies are responding to what consumers want. People choose to upgrade. Even though manufacturers have been criticised for this, courts have not found them guilty in most cases.

Anna:

That is not true. Apple was fined in France because they made older iPhones run slowly on purpose. The company said that they were protecting the battery — but critics said that this was designed to push people to buy new phones. That is planned to the letter — every detail was planned in advance.

Tom:

Despite the fine, Apple is still one of the most successful companies in the world. The bottom line is that consumers keep buying. If they had really been angry, they would have stopped.

Anna:

We should have introduced laws about this much earlier. Governments could have required companies to offer ten-year warranties. Instead, we created a throwaway society — and now we are all paying for it. This is a vicious cycle that we need to break.

Grammar in the script:
· Reported speech: It is often said that · My manager told me that · The company said that they were
· Third conditional: If companies had designed… we would not have · If they had been angry, they would have stopped
· Modals + perfect: could have been repaired · should have introduced · could have required
· Passive: have been criticised · was fined · were protecting · was designed · are thrown away
· Concession: Although I understand · Even though manufacturers have been criticised · Despite the fine
· Idioms: short-sighted · in the long run · planned to the letter · the bottom line · throwaway society · vicious cycle

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary + Idioms

Vocab Part B: 1. lifespan 2. durable 3. obsolescence 4. consumers 5. ethical 6. manufactured 7. upgrade 8. fault 9. waste 10. recycled

Idiom Part D: 1. the bottom line 2. cut corners 3. cash cow 4. throwaway society 5. built-in failure 6. in the long run 7. vicious cycle 8. short-sighted 9. ahead of the curve 10. planned to the letter

Handout 2 — Grammar

Ex 1 (reported speech): 1. He said that it was standard industry practice. 2. He told her to weaken the battery connector. 3. She told him that she did not want to do it. 4. He warned her not to tell anyone. 5. It is said that some companies plan their products to fail.

Ex 2 (3rd conditional): 1. had built / would not have needed 2. had passed / might have changed 3. had been / would have bought 4. had introduced / would not have so much 5. had refused / might have lost

Ex 3 (modals + perfect): 1. should have been made 2. could have lasted 3. might have lost 4. should have introduced 5. could have been repaired

Ex 4 (passive): 1. are designed 2. was made 3. have been criticised 4. was fined 5. needs to be banned

Ex 5 (errors): 1. said that it was (NOT said me) 2. had built (NOT would have built — no would in if-clause) 3. should have built (NOT should have build) 4. Despite the criticism (NOT Despite of) 5. although/even though it is illegal (NOT despite + clause)

Handout 3 — Reading

Task 1: 1. Her manager asked her to weaken the battery connector so it would fail after 18 months. 2. He said it was standard practice and that everyone did it. 3. She was afraid of losing her job. 4. She sent an anonymous message to a consumer rights organisation. 5. Because it is consumers who pay for every replacement they should not need.

Task 2 (T/F/NG): 1 T 2 F (she did not carry out the instruction) 3 T 4 NG 5 T

Handout 4 — Listening

Task 1: 1-B 2-C 3-A

Task 2: (1) said / told me (2) had designed / would not have (3) could have been repaired / was designed (4) should have introduced / could have required (5) throwaway society / vicious cycle

Planned Obsolescence

Student Handouts

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary & Idioms

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Word

What it means

obsolescence

the process of becoming out of date or no longer useful — planned obsolescence means this is done on purpose

lifespan

how long something lasts — the lifespan of a modern phone is about two years by design

durable

long-lasting and strong — a durable product does not break quickly

consumer

a person who buys and uses products — consumers often have no choice but to buy new

recycle

to process old materials so they can be used again — many phone parts can be recycled

fault

something that is wrong with a product — the fault was designed into the phone deliberately

upgrade

to replace something old with a newer version — consumers are encouraged to upgrade every two years

manufacture

to make products in large quantities in a factory — the phone was manufactured in three countries

waste

material that is thrown away — electronic waste is a major environmental problem

ethical

morally right and honest — is it ethical to design a product to break on purpose?

Part B — Fill in the Gaps

1.The __________________ of most smartphones is designed to be short — usually around two years.

2.A truly __________________ phone would last ten years without needing to be replaced.

3.__________________ is the practice of designing products to become outdated or to break on purpose.

4.Many __________________ are unaware that their products are designed to fail after a certain time.

5.Is it __________________ to design something to break? Many people say no — it is a form of dishonesty.

6.The phone was __________________ with a weak battery connector — it was designed to break after 18 months.

7.Customers are encouraged to __________________ to a new model every two years — even if the old one works.

8.The engineer found a __________________ in the design — but it was not accidental. It was planned.

9.Millions of phones create electronic __________________ each year — a serious environmental problem.

10.Old phone batteries can be __________________ — the materials are used to make new products.

Part C — Idioms

Study these idioms. You will hear them in the listening and reading tasks.

Idiom

Meaning

Example

the bottom line

the most important fact (often financial)

The bottom line is that companies make more money if products break quickly.

cut corners

to do something more cheaply but with lower quality

The factory cut corners on the battery to reduce costs.

cash cow

a product that makes steady and reliable profit

The annual phone upgrade has become a cash cow for big tech companies.

throwaway society

a society where people throw things away instead of repairing them

We live in a throwaway society — nobody repairs anything anymore.

built-in failure

a design that causes a product to break after a planned time

Customers are beginning to talk about built-in failure in electronics.

in the long run

over a long period of time; eventually

In the long run, buying a durable product is cheaper than replacing a cheap one.

vicious cycle

a situation where one problem causes another, which makes the first worse

Buy, break, throw away, buy again — it is a vicious cycle.

short-sighted

not thinking about what will happen in the future

It is short-sighted to focus only on this year's profit.

ahead of the curve

more advanced or forward-thinking than others

Companies that design repairable products are ahead of the curve.

planned to the letter

planned very carefully and precisely

The product failure was planned to the letter — every detail was deliberate.

Part D — Idiom Practice

Replace the underlined phrase with the correct idiom.

1.The most important fact is that companies make more money when products break quickly. → __________________

2.The engineers made the battery more cheaply, but with worse quality. → __________________

3.The two-year upgrade cycle has become a very reliable source of profit. → __________________

4.We live in a society where people throw things away instead of repairing them. → __________________

5.The phone was designed with a failure that was deliberately planned. → __________________

6.Eventually, durable products save consumers more money. → __________________

7.Cheap products break, people buy new ones, which are also cheap and break — it goes on and on. → __________________

8.It is not thinking about the future to care only about this quarter's results. → __________________

9.This company is more advanced than others when it comes to sustainable design. → __________________

10.Every detail of the failure was carefully and deliberately planned. → __________________

Handout 2

Grammar

Five Grammar Structures

REPORTED SPEECH
Report what someone said — tenses move back one step.
Direct: "It is standard practice." → Reported: He said that it was standard practice.
Direct: "Weaken the connector." → He told her to weaken the connector.
Direct: "Don't tell anyone." → He warned her not to tell anyone.
Also: It is said that companies plan product failure deliberately.
⚠️ said + that · told + person + to · warned + person + not to · said → told (NOT said me)

THIRD CONDITIONAL
Imagine a different past — and its different result.
If + past perfect → would/could/might + have + past participle
If they had built the phone to last, customers would not have needed to upgrade.
If the government had passed stricter laws, companies might have changed their behaviour.
If she had refused, she could have lost her job.
⚠️ No "would" in the if-clause! "If they WOULD have built" → WRONG

MODALS + PERFECT INFINITIVE
Talk about what was possible, necessary or right — but didn't happen.
Should have + pp — the right thing, but it didn't happen:
Companies should have been more honest with consumers.
Could have + pp — possible but it didn't happen:
This phone could have lasted ten years with better design.
Might have + pp — possible in the past, we are not sure:
Sophie might have lost her job if she had refused.

PASSIVE VOICE
Focus on what happens to the product, not on who does it.
Present: Products are designed to fail after 18 months.
Past: The phone was made with a weak battery connector.
Present Perfect: Many companies have been criticised for this.
Infinitive: This practice needs to be banned.
Structure: be (correct tense) + past participle

CONCESSION CLAUSES
Acknowledge the other side — then give your counter-argument.
Although companies make more profit, consumers pay more in the long run.
Even though it is legal, many people think it is unethical.
Despite the criticism, the practice continues. (+ noun/noun phrase)
However, there is another side to the argument. (at start of sentence)
On the other hand, consumers could simply choose to buy less.
⚠️ Despite + noun/noun phrase · Although/Even though + clause (with a verb)

Exercise 1 — Reported Speech

Report each sentence. Use the verb in brackets.

1. "It is standard industry practice." (said)

He ___________________________________________________________________

2. "Weaken the battery connector." (told)

He told her ____________________________________________________________

3. "I don't want to do this." (told)

She told him ___________________________________________________________

4. "Don't tell anyone about this." (warned)

He warned her _________________________________________________________

5. "Some companies plan their products to fail." (said that / it is)

It is said ______________________________________________________________

Exercise 2 — Third Conditional

Complete with the correct form.

1.If companies __________________ (build) phones to last, customers __________________ (not / need) to upgrade so often.

2.If the government __________________ (pass) stricter laws, companies __________________ (change) their behaviour.

3.If the phone __________________ (be) better quality, the customer __________________ (buy) the same brand again.

4.If stronger recycling laws __________________ (introduce), there __________________ (not / be) so much electronic waste today.

5.If Sophie __________________ (refuse) the instruction, she __________________ (might / lose) her job.

Exercise 3 — Modals + Perfect

Complete with should have / could have / might have + correct past participle.

1.These phones __________________ (make) to last much longer — it was technically possible.

2.The battery __________________ (last) five years with better design.

3.Sophie __________________ (lose) her job if she had reported the company directly.

4.Governments __________________ (introduce) repair laws ten years ago — but they didn't.

5.These components __________________ (repair) easily — but the manufacturer made it impossible.

Exercise 4 — Passive Voice

Complete each sentence with the correct passive form.

1.Products __________________ (design) to fail — this is the industry's business model.

2.The phone __________________ (make) with a deliberately weak battery connector.

3.Several large companies __________________ (criticise) in recent years for this practice.

4.Apple __________________ (fine) in France after it slowed down older phones deliberately.

5.This practice needs __________________ (ban) by government — it is harmful to consumers and the environment.

Exercise 5 — Find and Correct the Error

Each sentence has ONE mistake.

1. "The manager said me that it was standard practice."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

2. "If companies would have built better products, there would be less waste."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

3. "These phones should have build to last at least five years."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

4. "Despite of the fines, companies continue this practice."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

5. "Despite it is illegal in some countries, many companies still do it."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

Handout 3

Reading

The Engineer's Dilemma

The request

Sophie works as a product engineer at NovaTech. One morning, her manager called her into his office. He told her to weaken the battery connector in their new smartphone — a part that, if it were made to full quality, could have lasted fifteen years. He said that this was standard practice in the industry. "Everyone does this," he told her. "It keeps the upgrade cycle going. This phone is our cash cow — we cannot afford to lose it."

The dilemma

Sophie knew that planned obsolescence was not illegal. But she also knew that it was not ethical. The component would not wear out naturally — it was being designed to fail. She could have refused. She might have spoken to a senior manager. But she was afraid. She had seen colleagues lose their jobs for asking inconvenient questions. Although she understood the business reasons, she felt that consumers were being cheated. If companies like NovaTech had been honest, customers would have been able to make real choices.

The decision

In the end, Sophie did not follow the instruction. Instead, she sent an anonymous message to a consumer rights organisation and explained what she had been asked to do. She wrote that the practice was short-sighted and that the industry should have introduced better standards years ago. Despite the risk to her career, she felt it was the right thing to do. In the long run, she told herself, honesty matters more than profit. Even though she could not be sure of the result, she was certain of her reasons.

After reading: Find one example of each of the five grammar structures in the text. Underline them.

Task 1 — Answer the Questions

Write full sentences.

1.What did Sophie's manager ask her to do?